Melanitis lida
All Creatures Great and Small # 25
Fossil leaf
The first fossil leaf study of Sarawak’s rainforest indicates the dominant tree form was the dipterocarps ( the trees that are there now) dated back 4 million years. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12949
New Species
A new species has joined the Drop Tongue Plant (Schismatoglottideae). There are now 84 species in Sarawak. A new clumping species from the wet slopes of the Penrissen range has been named. DOI: 10.36253/jopt-12256
Mammals in Sabah
Deramakot Forest Reserve has the highest species richness when compared to the other reserves. Other reserves show lower diversity scores. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-022-02423-8
More New Species of Drop Tongue Plant
Schismatoglottis Metallica(Drop Tongue Plant) from Kalimantan Barat, Indonesian Borneo and S. reticosa from the upper Engkari river in SW Sarawak are two additional species that join the club. That makes 86 species in Sarawak. DOI: 10.36253/jopt-12810
Beetles
Two beetles occupy their own position on the scale. The two known species live in shallow streams flowing through dense primary forests in limestone areas in Pahang (West Malaysia) and Sarawak. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1092.79635
Climate Change and flowering and fruiting
For some mysterious reason, some trees flower and fruit at irregular times. Little is known about how climate change will affect these cycles. For example, 57% of the dipterocarps respond to both drought and low temperatures before they flower. However, if the temperature is not low enough, what will happen? This paper suggests that plants will be vulnerable to climate change. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03245-8
Drought in Sarawak
This paper describes the major droughts in Sarawak as caused by a strong El Nino in the Pacific Ocean. Their results show a high tendency for future droughts. Â MONITORING DROUGHT USING THE STANDARDIZED PRECIPITATION INDEX (SPI) IN SARAWAK RIVER BASINSIN/links/62664ff2ee24725b3ec5138a/
Orchids
Paphiopedilum exul, Calanthe chrysoglossoides, and Luisia brachystachys are reported here as new records for Malaysia, whereas Bryobium cordiferum subsp. borneense, Habenaria rostellifera, and Taeniophyllum rugulosum are three rare orchid species recollected from Sarawak. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267485
Brunei Forests
Some old age forests on Borneo are like they were during the Pliocene Epoch (5.3-2.6 million years ago).
Wisdom of the people in early kingdoms in Malaya and Santubong
This essay states it was the wisdom of the local community which contributed primarily to the development of science and technology. It states that this technology did not develop overnight but was a product of the evolution of wisdom that existed over 6,000 years ago. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 660
Frogs
“Deforestation by severe clear-cutting that leads to fragmentation of frogs’ distribution, as well as overhunting for local usage, are the greatest threats to the animals, especially in Borneo.” “The findings suggest that diversity and distribution of frog species were influenced by the environment and selection of microhabitats. Frogs that share the same ecological requirements tend to co-exist.” Journal of Sustainability Science and Management Volume 17 Number 4, April 2022: 260-271
Reforestation
There is a way to use trees to prevent the decline in biodiversity. Selecting appropriate species for planting could increase conservation effectiveness. Three hypotheses on the conservation of beetles are tested. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8855
Bat Flower
The germination of the seeds of the Bat Flower(Tacca chantrieri Andre) for ornamental use has been difficult. Their seeds have a very low and slow germination rate. The authors have developed a method to improve germination. The addition of the plant hormone gibberellic acid to the soil increased the germination rate by 90%  https://doi.org/10.24326/asphc.2022.2.7
Butterflies
A study to compare the species richness of butterflies on an island and the mainland was the purpose of this study. Species abundance on the mainland was dominated by the Bassarona dunya and Tanaecia aruna (13%), while on the island Melanitis leda (67%) dominated. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management Volume 17 Number 4, April 2022: 1-1
Hunting in Sabah
Hunting in the tropical rainforest has long been known to be a danger to tropical wildlife conservation. A study in Sabah shows bearded hogs and Sambar deer are at the tipping point where there are not enough numbers to keep the population from dying out. A forest without them is called an “empty forest syndrome” .https://sarawakforestry.com/mcc2022/files/paper/st4-2.pdf
Borneo Forests to Palm Oil Estates
The destruction of Borneo’s forests to accommodate the palm oil trade is described in this paper. Wilmar Corporation, a Singapore group, bears primary responsibility for this transition. https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/525
Headhunting and the Japanese
A new book describing the Iban attacks on the Japanese forces in Song (upper Rejang) has been published. This account describes how the revival of headhunting was responsible for the Iban successes. Project MUSE muse.jhu.edu/article/854674.
Cempadak
The original ancestors of the cempadak plant may have been from Borneo. Cempadak is eaten raw or can be combined with rice flour to make a fried cempadak, much like a fried bananas. The study suggests the original genes from the cempadak should be conserved.
Birds
How does the change over from rainforest to oil palm affect birds? This study suggests that birds who have a wide range of flight have a much better success succeeding than birds whose life is narrow and confined to only certain parts of the rainforest. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.05990
Indonesia’s New Capitol
An essay on the new Indonesian capital being built on Borneo is discussed in this piece which also has book reviews on urban planning. Antipode Kings College London March 2022
From
Borneohistory.net
1010 East Wing Riverine Emerald
Jalan Petanak
Kuching, Sarawak
Malaysia